Thursday, September 30, 2010

THE PRESIDENT OF THOMASTON’S NEWEST INDUSTRY, ANIMAL HEALTH AND SCIENCE TOLD THOMASTON KIWANIS, TUESDAY, HE IS PROJECTING 300 JOBS IN FIVE YEARS. CEO CHRIS CALLAS OF PARENT COMPANY, APPOLO TECHNOLOGIES SAID THE PLANT WILL MANUFACTURE A LINE OF PET PRODUCTS INCLUDING FLEA AND TICK SPRAYS, OINMENTS, AND AEROSOLS. IT COULD BE NEXT YEAR BEFORE FULL OPERATION BEGINS DUE TO DESIGN DELAYS WITH THE YAMAHA BUILDING, BUT THE COMPANY ALREADY EMPLOYS 6. ACCORDING TO ITS AGREEMENT WITH THE IDA THE COMPANY WILL HAVE 100 EMPLOYEES BY THE END OF ITS FIRST YEAR. CEO CALLAS SAYS WITH OVER 200 MILLION DOGS,CATS, AND HORSES IN THE U.S. ITS A GROWING MARKET. THE COMPANY DOES NOT MARKET ITS OWN PRODUCTS BUT SELLS TO MAJOR BRANDS LIKE HARTZ MOUNTAIN AND PRESTICIDE PRODUCTS TO OTHRO. THE FIRM HAS OTHER PLANTS IN SMYRA AND DALTON, BUT WILL BE INTRODUCING NEW PRODUCT LINES IN THOMASTON. MR. CALLAS WHO SPEAKS IN A THICK GREEK ACCENT, TOLD KIWANIS HE WAS HEADED TO SOUTH CAROLINA WITH HIS NEW COMPANY BUT THOMASTON AND UPSON OFFICIALS CHANGED HIS MIND. HIS COMMENTS WILL AIR ON THIS WEEK IN UPSON COUNTY SUNDAY AT 6AM.

AT A WORK SESSION ON A PROPOSED NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, TUESDAY, THE THOMASTON UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION HAD A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR TO ACCEPT A PLAN RECOMMENDED BY A PARENT AND STAFF ADVISORY COMMITTEE, BUT THE MOTION WAS WITHDRAWN. VETERAN BOARD MEMBER TERRELL JACKSON SAID HE STILL HAS SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE $7.5 MILLION PROPOSAL. ACCORDING TO THE COST ANALYSIS BY ARCHITECTS, MANLEY,SPANGLER, SMITH, THE SO-CALLED MULTI-USE PLAN WOULD INCLUDE CLASSROOMS FOR BAND AND CHORUS AND A GREEN SPACE FOR EVENT DRESSING ROOMS, IN ADDITION TO THE 900 SEAT AUDITORIUM. MR. JACKSON HAD SOME RESERVATIONS ABOUT ADDING THE CLASSROOMS AND BUMPING UP THE COST,BUT JAY EUBANKS, REPRESENTING THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOLD THE BOARD IT WOULD BE A DISSERVICE NOT TO INCLUDE THEM, THEY ARE NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE LOGISTICS OF MOVING BAND EQUIPMENT FOR CONCERTS. JACKSON SAID THE PROJECT HAD BEEN ADVERTISED TO THE PUBLIC FOR $6 MILLION, BUT NOW HAS MOVED TO $8 MILLION, WHEN THE ARCHITECTS FEES OF $400,000 ARE INCLUDED. THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, MIKE MAJORS TOLD THE BOARD $3.2 MILLION IS LEFT FROM THE PREVIOUS SPLOST,BUT 1.4 OF THAT IS TARGETED FOR A NEW BUS BARN. THE BOARD HAS NOT DESIGNATED A USE FOR THE REST, LEADING TO SPECULATION IT COULD BE USED FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. ACCORDING TO THE MULTIPURPOSE PLAN, THE AUDITORIUM WOULD BE 24,800 SQUARE FEET AT A COST OF $6.4 MILLION AND THE CLASSROOMS WOULD ADD ANOTHER $ I MILLION, 8000 SQUARE FEET. COACH MAJORS SAID THE ARCHITECTS ARE ANXIOUS TO GET STARTED WITH DRAWINGS, BUT THE BOARD PUT OFF A DECISION UNTIL THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING, OCT. 7TH.

THE PIKE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT FY 2011/12 BUDGET WAS REDUCED BY $57,000 AFTER A DECISION BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, TUESDAY. COUNTY MANAGER BILL SAWYER SAID ITS IN KEEPING WITH THE OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND OPERATIONS, WHICH HAVE BEEN REDUCED AS WELL. AFTER CHANGES IN FIRE FEES,THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET WILL BE $451,000. AMONG THE FIRE FEES, RESIDENTIAL WILL REMAIN AT $50, AGRIBUSINESS AND COMMERICAL DROPS $50 TO $100, INDUSTRIAL DROPS $50 TO $300 , AND ALL OTHER PARCELS $15 LESS TO $35. THE PIKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HELD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THE MAGISTRATE COURT BUT ADJOURNED WITHOUT TAKING ANY ACTION.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

DURING THE SEPTEMBER MEETING OF THE THOMASTON UPSON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, MONDAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR J.R. CHARLES GAVE AN UPDATE ON PROSPECT ACTIVITY, USING CODE NAMES. PROJECT BUTTERBALL, A COMPANY DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA, LOOKING TO RE-LOCATE TO THE STATES. PROJECT TREAD, AN INTERNATIONAL COMPANY IN THE TIRE RETREAD BUSINESS, LOOKING AT THOMASTON AND OTHER SITES IN GEORGIA, WHILE DEVELOPING A BUSINESS PLAN. PROJECT STAMP MADE A WINDSHIELD VISIT TO UPSON COUNTY, A FIRM THAT WANTS TO LOCATE NEAR MACON. THE ISSUE OF PAYING COMMISSIONS TO REAL ESTATE BROKERS IF THEY BRING A PROJECT TO TOWN, WAS ON THE TABLE. THE IDA DECIDED EARLIER THIS YEAR TO DO IT. MAYOR HAYS ARNOLD SAID MANY IDA’S DON’T PAY COMMISSIONS TO REALTORS BUT ITS OK IF CAUTION IS EXERCISED.

RECORD RAINFALL IN UPSON COUNTY THIS PAST WEEKEND, ACCORDING TO REPORTS TO WESLEY BROWN AT EL MATADOR. SIX INCHES RECORDED ON THREE DIFFERENT RAIN GAUGES AT GREEN ACRES FARM ON 19 SOUTH. FOUR AND THREE-FOURTHS INCHES AT THE FLINT RIVER, FOUR AND A HALF INCHES IN YATESVILLE, OVER THREE INCHES IN BARNESVILLE, TWO AND A HALF ON HANNAH’S MILL ROAD AND IN MEANSVILLE IN PIKE COUNTY, WESLEY RECORDED THREE POINT THREE INCHES .

Monday, September 27, 2010

THE FAYETTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE MISGIVINGS ABOUT ADDING A FIFTH SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE IN THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SOMETHING TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA. THE FAYETTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER TO THE COUNCIL ASKING FOR A DELAY ON ANY DECISION, BASED ON COSTS TO THE COUNTY. WILL SIMMONS, COURT ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE SIXTH ADMINISTRATIVE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SAYS THE FOUR JUDGES IN THE CIRCUIT IN UPSON, PIKE, SPALDING, AND FAYETTE COUNTIES, WERE HANDLING THE WORKLOAD OF AN ADDITIONAL I.33 JUDGES. THE FINAL DECISION RESTS WITH THE GA. GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WHICH MUST PAY 90% OF THE JUDGES SALARY,ALONG WITH A LAW CLERK AND A SECRETARY,WITH THE FOUR COUNTIES MAKING UP THE REST. THE COUNTY PAYS 50% OF THE JUDGES COSTS BASED ON POPULATION AND CASE FILINGS. UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER MAURICE RAINES SAID BASED ON UPSON’S CASELOAD, A FIFTH JUDGE IS NOT NEEDED. IT WOULD RAISE THE COST OF GOVERNMENT AND HE’S AGAINEST THAT.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

TED MCKISSICK, ACTING CHAIR OF THE UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF TAX ASSESSORS, SAYS THE BOARD IS ADVERTISING FOR A NEW ASSISTANT CHIEF APPRASER, AFTER THE RETIREMENT OF DEBBIE AUSTIN, SEPTEMBER 15TH. MS. AUSTIN WHO WAS EMPLOYED IN THE TAX OFFICE FOR OVER 20 YEARS, HAS REPORTEDLY TAKEN A POSITION IN CAMDEN COUNTY,WHERE UPSON’’S FORMER CHIEF APPRASER TERRY ROSS HOLDS THAT POST. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED MIKE RAWLS TO THE TAX ASSESSORS BOARD, RECENTLY. CHAIRMAN MCKISSICK TOLD TGA NEWS, HE IS AN OUTSTANDING CHOICE.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

ADDITIONAL STREET RESURFACING IS COMING TO DOWNTOWN THOMASTON. AT TUESDAY’S MEETING, THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL HAD THANKS FOR GA. DOT DISTRICT ENGINEER DAVID MILLEN FOR 6 BLOCKS TO BE ADDED . IT WILL INCLUDE THOMPSON STREET TO LEE STREET ON U.S. 19. CITY MANAGER PATRICK COMISKEY SAID A $500,000 GRANT FOR WATER IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE USED TO IMPROVE FLOW AND WATER PRESSURE FROM THE LAKE THOMASTON WATER TOWER TO BARNESVILLE STREET. ITS A ONE MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT WITH THE OTHER HALF FROM SPLOST. COUNCIL MEMBER ED BELL URGED THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND THE BOSS HOGG BAR B QUE COOK-OFF,SATURDAY IN DOWNTOWN THOMASTON.

Monday, September 20, 2010

GOVERNOR SONNY PERDUE HAS SET THE DATE FOR SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES FOR THE TWO NEW SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES IN THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. MACK CRAWFORD OF PIKE COUNTY AND FLETCHER SAMS OF FAYETTE COUNTY WILL TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE, MONDAY OCT. 4TH,3PM IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER. CRAWFORD WILL OCCUPY THE OFFICERS OF FORMER JUDGE JOHNNIE CALDWELL IN THE UPSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND JUDGE SAMS WILL OCCUPY THE OFFICES OF FORMER CHIEF JUDGE PASCAL ENGLISH IN FAYETTE COUNTY. JUDGE CRAWFORD HAS BEEN ASSIGNED ENGLISH’S PENDING CASES AND JUDGE SAMS, CALDWELL’S CASES.

THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING A BURGLARY AT 450 MORGAN ROAD WITH A REPORTED LOSS OF $45,400,MOSTLY VECHILE RACING PARTS,$1800 IN CASH, AND A SAFE IS MISSING. SOMEONE CUT THE CHAIN ON THE GATE TO ENTER THE PROPERTY. A RACING TRAILER, A STORAGE BUILDING, AND THE RESIDENCE WERE BROKEN-INTO. TURBO INJECTORS VALUED AT $18,000, AMONG THE ITEMS MISSING. IT HAPPENED DURING THE WEEKEND WHILE THE FAMILY WAS ATTENDING BUGGY DAYS IN BARNESVILLE.

THE 2012 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR WERE ANNOUNCED FOR THE THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOLS . UL PRE-K-SHELLY AUSTIN, SOUTH ELEMENTARY- CHERYL BICE, NORTH ELEMENTARY-CATHY GREENMAN, MIDDLE SCHOOL-KRISTI BOSWORTH,HIGH SCHOOL-JAN MCKINLEY. THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN NOVEMBER. UPSON-LEE HIGH SCHOOL’S SAT AVERAGE SCORE FOR 2010 IS 1350,AN INCREASE OVER THE 2009 AVERAGE OF 1339 BUT IS STILL BELOW THE STATE AVERAGE OF 1442. IN 2010 ,27% MORE STUDENTS TOOK THE SAT.

A MEMBER OF A SURVEYING CREW FROM WINDER, GA. WAS INJURED IN A 4-WHEELER ACCIDENT OFF 36 WEST NEAR GOSHEN ROAD. ACCORDING TO UPSON S.O. , JONATHAN CLINT SMITH, COMPLAINED OF PAIN IN HIS ARMS AND LEGS AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE E.R. BY UPSON EMS, ONCE HE WAS LOCATED. SMITH WAS ON A 4-WHEELER TRYING TO CROSS POTATO CREEK WHEN THE WHEELS STARTING SLIDING ON THE BANK, AND THE VECHILE TURNED OVER ON HIM IN THE WATER. THE CREW WAS SURVEYING THE GA. NATURAL GAS PIPELINE

THE UPSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS CONDUCTING A RECOGNITION PROJECT FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART . IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO HAS RECEIVED A PURPLE HEART CALL THE THOMASTON-UPSON ARCHIVES, AT 706-646-2437.GIVE YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER AND A MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCEITY WILL BE IN TOUCH.

Friday, September 17, 2010

THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE HIRED RONALD VAN HOUTEN AS COUNTY FINANCE DIRECTOR. THE CONTRACT RUNS THROUGH 2013 AT AN ANNUAL SALARY OF $54,000. VAN HOUTEN HAS SERVED AS COUNTY ACCOUNTANT FOR SEVERAL YEARS, BUT AS FINANCE DIRECTOR, A CONTRACT EFFECTIVE JULY IST,2010, HE IS MOVING INTO AN OFFICE AT THE GOVERNMENT COMPLEX. THE POSITION DOES NOT INCLUDE BENEFITS. THE COMMISSIONERS PLAN TO INTERVIEW 3 OR 4 APPLICANTS OF THE 12 WHO APPLIED FOR WATER SYSTEM SUPERINTENDANT, TO REPLACE CHET WARD. COMMISSIONER STEVE HUDSON SAID ACTING WATER CHIEF DANNY JOHNSON HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB AND IS HIS CHOICE FOR THE POST.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

A NOTICE OF DISMISSAL HAS BEEN FILED BY THE ATTORNEY FOR AN UPSON COUNTY COUPLE IN FEDERAL COURT IN MACON, FOR A LAW SUIT ALLEGING A USED TAMPON WAS FOUND IN A BOWL OF BREAKFAST CEREAL IN 2008.THE CASE INVOLVING THOMAS AND LYNN RODDENBERRY WAS CLOSED TUESDAY,ACCORDING TO COURT RECORDS. THE COUPLE FILED THE LAW SUIT IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT LAST WEEK AGAINEST SAV-A-LOT FOODS AND RALSTON FOODS,CONTENDING THE HUSBAND FOUND THE ITEM IN A BOWL OF CHOCOLATE CHIP CRUNCH. HE SPIT OUT THE CEREAL,BECAME NAUSEATED AND WENT TO THE E.R, ACCORDING TO THE COMPLAINT. THE RODDENBERRYS SOUGHT UNSPECIFIED DAMAGES FROM THE GROCERY STORE CHAIN AND CEREAL COMPANY. THE STORY WAS REPORTED BY NEW AGENCIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND JAY LENO INCLUDED IT IN HIS COMEDY MONOLOGUE, TUESDAY ON THE TONIGHT SHOW.

THE PIKE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE TRAFFIC UNIT IS INVESTIGATING A MOTOR VECHILE COLLISION INVOLVING A PEDESTRIAN THAT OCCURRED ON WEDNESDAY MORNING. ZOLLIE EASLEY,76,WAS KILLED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CROSS HIGHWAY 362. MS. EASLEY WAS STRUCK BY A FORD RANGER TRAVELING EASTBOUND. THE VECHILE WAS UNABLE TO AVOID STRIKING THE VICTIM,WHO WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT THE SCENE. NO CHARGES ARE EXPECTED TO BE FILED AGAINEST THE DRIVER, ACCORDING TO SHERIFF JIMMY THOMAS.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

STANDING ROOM ONLY AT TUESDAY’S MEETING OF THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, HOMEOWNERS OPPOSED TO A CONVIENCE STORE MOVING CLOSER TO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSIONERS VOTED TO DENY A REZONING APPLICATION FROM ROBERT CHANDLER TO REZONE 4 ACRES FROM R-2 TO C-2 AT WEST COUNTY ROAD AND HANNAH’S MILL ROAD. MR. CHANDLER SAID THE OWNERS OF THE CONVIENCE STORE AT THAT INTERSECTION DO NOT OWN THEIR BUILDING AND THEY WANTED TO PURCHASE HIS LAND AND BUILD A NEW STORE. ZONING DIRECTOR CHAD JACOBS TOLD THE BOARD, THE PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED TO DENY REZONING BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS SPOT ZONING. ALSO HE NOTED THE COUNTY’S COMPREHANSIVE PLAN WOULD HAVE TO BE AMENDED. SEVERAL PROPERTY OWNERS SPOKE AGAINEST THE REZONING,BRENT KING, DANIEL SMITH, AND RICHARD TYSON. THEY CONTENDED DEER CHASE WOULD BE IMPACTED BY MORE TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ISSUES WERE INVOLVED. KING SAID THERE’S ALEADY A DRAINAGE PROBLEM ON HIS PROPERTY WHICH WOULD BE WORSE WITH A NEW STORE. ACCORDING TO CHANDLER, THE STORE OWNERS PLANNED TO PUT UP A PRIVACY FENCE, AND HE POINTED OUTA LAWNMOWER SHOP JUST DOWN THE WAY IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA,SOMETHING HE CALLED SPOT ZONING. IN OTHER ACTION, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED MIKE RAWLS, A REAL ESTATE APPRASER, TO THE UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF TAX ASSESSORS. RAWLS JOINS DAVID CALLAWAY AND TED MCKISSICK ON THE BOARD.

ONLY ONE HIGH SCHOOL IN THE AREA MET STATE AVERAGE ON THE 2010 SAT, AS STATEWIDE SCORES DROPPED. MARY PERSONS HIGH IN MONROE COUNTY BESTED THE STATE AVERAGE OF 1453 WITH A SCORE OF 1458. PIKE COUNTY WAS NEXT AT 1416,SPALDING COUNTY HIGH, 1374, UPSON-LEE,1350,LAMAR COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE HIGH 1348, CRAWFORD COUNTY 1324,GRIFFIN HIGH 1265,GREENVILLE HIGH 1228,MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL, 1148. THE NATIONAL AVERAGE THIS YEAR,1509 OF A POSSIBLE 2400 POINTS.

Monday, September 13, 2010

The suit claims that Mr. Roddenberry found a used tampon in his bowl of cereal.

According to the complaint, they bought a box of Chocolate Chip Crunch cereal from the store in Thomaston in October 2008 and neither the box nor the cereal showed signs of tampering.

Roddenberry said he discovered the tampon in his bowl after taking a bite of the cereal the next day, he spit out the cereal and immediately became nauseated. He went to the emergency room and the suit claims he sustained physical injuries "from the adulterated food" and emotional worry.

The suit was filed against Save-A-Lot and cereal manufacturer Ralston Foods on September 8, 2010 in U.S. District Court in Macon and seeks unspecified general and special damages along with court costs.

THOMASTON POLICE HAVE CITED THE OWNER OF PONDEROSA STEAK HOUSE BAR AND GRILL NORTH CENTER AT THE TRACKS FOR SELLING ALCOHOL AFTER HOURS FOR THE SECOND TIME. ANDY YORK, 44 OF DOUBLE BRIDGES ROAD, PAID A $1500 FINE IN APRIL FOR VIOLATION OF THE CITY’S ALCOHOL ORDIANCE. SEPTEMBER 4TH AT 3AM OFFICERS RESPONDED TO LOUD MUSIC AND TALKING AND FOUND MIXED DRINKS AND BEER BEING SERVED. THE CITY’S ORDIANCE DOES NOT ALLOW ALCOHOL SALES AND CONSUMPTION AFTER 2AM. OFFICERS FOUND A LINE OF PATRONS APPARENTLY BEING SERVED MIXED DRINKS AND BEER AND YORK HAD CASH IN HIS HAND, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT. POLICE ORDERED THE D.J. TO STOP THE MUSIC AND CITED YORK. THE CASE IS SCHEDULED OCTOBER 12TH IN CITY OF THOMASTON MUNICIPAL COURT. CITY OF THOMASTON CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER BOBBY ELLINGTON SAID ANOTHER BUSINESS RECENTLY BANNED FROM ALCOHOL SALES FOR 6 MONTHS IS CLOSED. MINGLES BAR ON NORTH HIGHTOWER WAS EVICTED FROM THE BUILDING AND THE LICENSE HAS BEEN CLOSED OUT. THE OPERATOR WOULD HAVE TO APPLY FOR A NEW LICENSE IF THE BUSINESS IS ESTABLISHED IN A NEW LOCATION. MINGLES WAS CITED AFTER POLICE FOUND MIXED DRINKS BEING SOLD BUT A STATE LIQUOR LICENSE HAD NOT BEEN OBTAINED.

Friday, September 10, 2010

The Thomaston-Upson County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at the newly opened Hughston Clinic today.

Doctor Norman L. Donati, Jr. and Doctor Douglas Pahl have moved into their new office location at 522 North Center Street and are the newest facility of the renowned Hughston Clinic based in Columbus, Georgia.

Founded in 1949 by the late orthopedic surgeon Jack C. Hughston, the clinic gained worldwide respect pioneering orthopedic techniques and care, Hughston almost single-handedly elevated sports medicine to a level enjoyed by only a handful of orthopedic surgeons.

Hughston Clinic President John I. Waldrop, MD, quoted in Orthopedics Today said that “Jack C. Hughston was really one of the founders and fathers of sports medicine.”

Doctor Norman L. Donati Jr., is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, and graduated with honors from Memphis State University. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1981. His orthopaedic surgery training and specialty fellowship in foot and ankle were both completed at the Campbell Orthopedic Clinic in Memphis.

Dr. Donati, pictured here (on the left) with Fun 101 Director of Sales, Carl Pruett, has been the team physician for the Upson Lee High School athletic teams, and has been involved with high school and middle school athletes in the surrounding counties of Pike, Lamar, Taylor, and Meriwether. He also serves as orthopaedic consultant on the sports medicine advisory committee of the Georgia High School Association.

Dr. Douglas W. Pahl, graduated from Baylor University in Waco, Texas then earned his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. He completed his internship and orthopaedic surgery residency at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon, Georgia. After completion of his distinguished army career, Dr. Pahl elected to complete a fellowship in orthopaedic spine surgery at the prestigious Twin Cities Spine Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Dr. Pahl specializes in orthopaedicspinal surgery with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques. He has recently developed new spine surgery instruments to improve minimally invasive techniques. Additionally, he specializes in adult and pediatric spinal deformity, and cervical and lumbar degenerative disorders.

The Hughston Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

BUSTING SLACK IS UNDER ATTACK IN THE CITY OF THOMASTON. A TUESDAY’S MEETING COUNCILMAN WALLACE RHODES SAID HE HAS HEARD FROM THE PUBLIC AND THEY LIKE A NEW ORDIANCE IN DUBLIN,GA. THAT OUTLAWS SAGGY PANTS. RHODES SUGGESTED THE COUNCIL TAKE A LOOK AT THE IDEA AND ITS EXPECTED TO BE ON THE NEXT MEETING AGENDA. NO PROFILING IS INTENDED, RHODES SAID,ALTHOUGH COUNCIL MEMBER PATSY PERDUE SAID THERE HAVE BEEN THREATS OF LAW SUITS OVER THE DUBLIN ORDIANCE.THE COUNCILMAN SAID THOMASTON POLICE COULD ISSUE CITATIONS IF SUCH AN ORDIANCE PASSED.

IN HIS REPORT TO THE PIKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,WEDNESDAY, COUNTY MANAGER BILL SAWYER SAID HE AND THE IDA ARE STILL IN CONTACT WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROSPECT THAT HAS BEEN MENTIONED, PREVIOUSLY. THE COUNTY MANAGER REPORTED HE IS WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO COMBINE FUEL PURCHASES FOR BETTER PRICING. HE ADDED THE FOUR DAY WORK WEEK FOR PUBLIC WORKS IS WORKING OUT. ACCORDING TO THE MANAGER,THE COUNTY’S GENERAL FUND HAS $14,200, CASH RESERVES $32,000,FIRE FUND $152,000.THE COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE 2ND READING OF AN ORDIANCE AMENDMENT TO EXEMPT CHURCHES FROM FIRE FEES. CIGNA WANTS TO HELP THE COUNTY DEVELOP A WELLNESS PLAN AND COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE INVITED TO A HEALTH SCREENING NOV. 18TH IN HOPES HIGH-RISK INDIVIDUALS CAN BE IDENTIFIED.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT WAS TRYING TO DISPATCH A SEARCH HELICOPTER WHEN TWO OVERDUE BOATERS TURNED UP AT SPREWELL BLUFF, MONDAY. JOE AND LUKE HILDRENBRAND OF LAGRANGE,PUT IN WITH RELATIVES AT THE HIGHWAY 18 BRIDGE.BUT RELATIVES BECAME WORRIED WHEN THEY DID NOT SHOW UP AT THE BLUFF. THE S.O. GOT VERIZON TO CHECK ON THEIR LAST CELL PHONE TRANSMISSION, CALCULATED AT 8.7 MILES WEST OF THE TOWER ON GORDON SCHOOL ROAD.

PIKE COUNTY SHERIFF JIMMY THOMAS SAYS NARCOTICS AGENTS SERVED A SEARCH WARRANT AT 819 REID ROAD ON SEPT. 3RD AND FOUND AN ACTIVE METHAMPHETAMINE LAB. ONE ARREST,40 YEAR OLD FULTON SMITH, CURRENTLY IN THE PIKE COUNTY JAIL. SMITH IS CURRENTLY ON BOND FOR TWO PRIOR METH CHARGES, AND A PREVIOUS SEARCH WARRANT SERVED AT HIS RESIDENCE ALSO LEAD TO THE DISCOVERY OF A METH LAB.